At Kinetic319, we believe strongly in listening to what customers have to say. We recently conducted a survey of 322 different consumers to get an idea of their plans for the 2025 holiday shopping season. This blog post was created based on the findings of that survey.
If you're a retailer, you probably already know the holiday season has morphed into a marathon rather than a sprint, especially when it comes to shopper timelines.
At Kinetic319, we recently completed a holiday shopping trends survey to find out what was on customers’ minds as they prepared to shop for the season ahead. While it might sound early to begin thinking about what’s going to be under the Christmas tree, the reality is that holiday shoppers have the wheels turning far sooner than we could have anticipated.
In fact, the vast majority (more than 45%) start their holiday shopping before November, while almost 30% kick things off during November.
Forget Black Friday being the “official start” of the holiday shopping season. For today’s consumers, both those we surveyed as well as those profiled in other research, that’s ancient history.
This shift means retail businesses need to rethink their strategies to stay ahead. Black Friday and Cyber Monday should no longer be regarded as the “kick off” to holiday shopping (but perhaps, the culmination). Shoppers are browsing earlier, spending across a variety of platforms, and demanding more value than ever before.
Scrambling to catch up? Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Here are seven actionable ways you can prepare for the influx of early holiday shoppers now.
1. Start Marketing … Like Yesterday
If most of your customers are shopping long before the turkey hits the table, why are you waiting to kick off your campaigns? The majority of shoppers we surveyed said they’re heavily influenced by search engine results, online reviews, and even gift guides. These tools are low-hanging fruit…if you can adapt quickly.
Update your SEO tactics now to align with holiday gift keywords. Think “best gifts for book lovers” or “holiday deals 2025” to capture those early queries.
Bump up your online reviews by encouraging your happy customers now to leave testimonials while their experience with your brand is fresh.
Gift guides? Round up your top products by category or audience and get those circulating by early fall.
2. Get Your Stock in Order
42% of consumers said “out-of-stock items” is one of their biggest frustrations. That’s almost half of your potential customers feeling annoyed if you’re not prepared. Nothing screams “goodbye sale” more than a shopper finding the perfect item, only to see a dreaded “Sold Out” stamp.
Forecast your products’ demand based on historical sales data and insights from this year. We found that 73.6% of consumers plan to shop on Amazon this holiday season, so don’t overlook the competition around holiday deals on that platform (or similar platforms).
Set your inventory levels accordingly. Whether you're an independent shop or a global retailer, make sure your online and in-store channels are both adequately stocked.
3. Offer Competitive Pricing and Deals
“Prices too high” was labeled as a top frustration by 57% of shoppers we surveyed. You don’t need to undercut yourself, but it’s critical to make your pricing competitive or add value wherever possible. Think bundles, “buy one, get one” offers, or early-bird discounts.
Timing is also important here.
Remember, most customers are shopping far sooner than Black Friday, so waiting until after the Thanksgiving dishes have been washed is too late to slap a discount on your products. Most customers will already be finished with their shopping by then, so consider offering price cuts sooner.
You can also capitalize on the trend of stretching holiday budgets. Our data shows 38.89% of respondents plan to cap their holiday spending at $500. Consider tiered offers like 15% off purchases of $251-$500 or free shipping on orders over $100. When people feel they’re getting value out of their purchases, they’re more likely to come back for more.
4. Make Shopping Easy and Delightful
Here’s where things get interesting. Nearly 37% of shoppers we surveyed said not knowing what to buy adds to their frustrations. Enter, stage left, with curated collections like “Top 10 Best-Selling Gifts” or personalized recommendations on your website. The easier you make it for your customers to choose a gift, the more likely they are to buy it.
Use your website and app to deliver a seamless, clutter-free shopping experience. Streamline navigation, highlight your bestsellers, and double-check that your checkout experience is smooth.
Anything confusing or frustrating (hello, websites that crash under Black Friday traffic!) should be fixed long before the holiday rush. Oh, and keep those return policies on the simpler side. No one enjoys jumping through hoops post-holiday.
5. Meet Customers Wherever They Shop
If your marketing team is betting everything on one channel, it’s time for a reality check. Our survey revealed that people shop across multiple platforms, splitting their time between Amazon (73.6%), brand websites (39.75%), local or independent shops (50.62%), and even social media platforms like Instagram (18%).
The takeaway here? Your customers are everywhere, and your presence needs to be just as balanced. Optimize your brand’s website, make sure your local shop is listed on Google, and don’t skip out on advertising on social media.
And if you’re not selling on Amazon or Etsy yet, perhaps it’s time to reconsider. Ultimately, a multichannel approach ensures you’re not leaving money on the table.
6. Nail Your Holiday Messaging
It turns out that your holiday cheer and communication matter just as much as your deals. Shoppers are influenced heavily by brand emails, social media ads, and in-store displays, according to our data. This is your golden opportunity to stand out with messaging that clicks before the peak season.
Start crafting your headlines and visuals now. Is your voice festive and fun? Does your branding feel consistent across touchpoints? Beyond creative design, timing matters too.
Remember, 45% of holiday shoppers are early birds. Keep your email list warm with thoughtful, interactive content that builds excitement as the holiday season approaches. Don’t wait until after Thanksgiving to engage.
7. Manage Expectations on Shipping and Delivery
Another key insight from our survey is that 37% of shoppers are deeply annoyed by shipping delays. If you’re promising delivery by December 24th, you’d better mean it. Offering realistic shipping timelines, affordable expedited options, or in-store pickup keeps you on your customers’ nice list.
Be upfront about potential shipping delays or order deadlines. Instead of scrambling for damage control when packages are late, use proactive communication to set realistic expectations. Customers are much more forgiving when you give them the tools to plan ahead.
Act Now to Avoid the Holiday Crunch
The holiday shopping landscape is changing, and retailers who adapt to these trends early will have a competitive edge. The retail holiday rush isn’t confined to Black Friday anymore. It's happening now. It’s up to you to capture those early shoppers with tailored strategies, delightful experiences, and effective communication.
Need additional help preparing your retail business for holiday success? At Kinetic319, we know the data, the trends, and the strategies you need to stay ahead. Our 2025 marketing almanac can help you stay ahead of the calendar by planning months in advance for important dates, too.
Reach out today and see how we can support you with creating impactful campaigns, improving your customer experience, and smashing your holiday sales goals.